HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese parliament always wishes to promote co-operation with the National People’s Congress of China towards increasing mutual understanding and trust between the two countries, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân said yesterday.

Welcoming Zhang Dejiang, Permanent Politburo member and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, she said increased parliamentary co-operation would also improve the effectiveness of legislative activities.

Ngân proposed that the two sides increase exchanges of delegations at all levels as well as the exchange of information and experience, particularly in law building and supervision.

She appreciated the signing of a co-operation agreement between the two sides, saying it would lay a firm foundation for speeding up co-operation.

The NA Chairwoman emphasised that Việt Nam attaches great importance to maintaining exchanges and meetings between high-ranking leaders, thereby increasing political trust and facilitating timely handling of existing and emerging issues between the two countries.

She said she was confident that the Việt Nam visit by Zhang Dejiang would contribute to maintaining and promoting the traditional friendship between the two countries, which would, in turn boost sustainable development of their comprehensive, strategic partnership.

The visit would also foster co-operation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the National People’s Congress of China, she said.

Zhang Dejiang said his visit was an opportunity for both sides to discuss strengthening and developing relations between the two Parties and States as well as increasing co-operation between the two legislative bodies.

He said he would work with the Vietnamese NA to actively implement parliamentary co-operation agreements and increase exchanges of high-ranking delegations and relevant agencies.

The National People’s Congress of China would share with its Vietnamese counterpart its experiences in managing and building the country as well as in legislative activities, he said.

He said the two countries should prioritise stability at sea, consider co-operation in exploitation as a common target, place sea disputes under control and not allow them to expand and get more complicated.

He proposed that the two countries continue promoting maritime co-operation including joint exploration and exploitation of resources.

Echoing the visitor’s sentiments and views, Chairwoman Ngân said Việt Nam supports friendly and constructive exchanges, frank discussions about peaceful settlement of disputes in line with the law, placing disagreements under control and maintaining a peaceful environment.

She agreed that both nations should resolutely abide by “common perceptions” of high-ranking leaders, particularly the “Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea”; respecting the legitimate interests of each other in line with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Việt Nam wished to continue to work with China and ASEAN to fulfill and effectively implement the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and speeding up the building of a Code of Conduct (COC), she said.

The two leaders agreed that with joint efforts, the relations between the two Parties, States and legislative bodies would develop positively. — VNS